R45 any good?

[Goldentie]

Regards from an old friend!

I am having some naughty ideas about getting back a good all airhead after spending five years with a wonderful K75. The K is defiantly to stay in the garage (took me all the way to Lisbon from Athens (3200km in 36 hours in legal speeds all sweet and comfy,) but the little boxer has kept a special place in my heart. I am trying to cut down costs so I am thinking about getting an R45 instead of R65 as prices are considerably less between them. I am thinking that if a need more power I can always make the upgrade although I would like to keep the bike in stock. What's your opinion? The boxer will be probably another bike to stay, so do I wait another year or two for a decent R65 or let's go down and play now with an R45?

PS: Let’s keep that between us – if my wife finds out I am bringing a third bike I am dead meat!!!

Stavros ’89 K75
            '82 P200E

Rod, Steve, I I just passed to say Hi!
Is Melena still around?
How about all the other friends?

[steve hawkins]

Stavros,

Nice to hear from you.

I am not going to bad mouth an R45, it is exactly the same as an R65 but with less power.

I have put on a few pounds in recent years, so I like to have more that 40 horses to drag my carcass around.  The R65 has those horses and the R45 does not - but it is the same weight as an R65 and my weight aint going to change some time soon.

Converting an R45 to a 65 is not cheap - barrels, pistons and heads, etc.

However - I have also never ridden a R45 either....

But personally I would be playing the long game and picking up a decent R65 when you have permission from the 'The missus' and you have enough cash to do so.  

Regards

Steve Hawkins

[Bob_Roller]

We've got a member here in the US, DeeG, she has a '78 R45 you may want to send her a PM, and see what she says about the bike .    

[Barry]

I've had an R45 for 3 years. Obviously it can't be as fast as an R65 and the K75 must be in another league in every respect.  That said it will cruise at any legal speed all day long without stress which is all I need.  I wish it was a little lighter and its just as well that I weigh 150lbs without any kit. Two up is definitely a challenge in terms of adequate acceleration but once up to cruise it's fine.

I guess the only plus point over an R65 is 60+ MPG and maybe it's a little smoother.

[NC Steve]

The R45 is a terrible bike, so much so that almost no one in the US ever bought one. You should drive all thought of this abomination from your mind, and relay all info regarding its' price and whereabouts to me immediately.

In fact, to help, I would be willing to purchase and ship the bike to the States, in order to better remove any further temptation for a fellow forum member.  

[not-so-fast-ed]

You go, Steve!   What a nice guy to remove the temptation from Stavros by offering to purchase it and ship it to the states.

 

[nhmaf]

Fromall that I've heard, they are pretty nice bikes, slower than the R65 of course and for some reason, possibly less tolerant of over-revving (or maybe sometimes their owners just try to wring their necks too much) but since most of the parts are the same, I'd say the general quality of the bike is the same.

I do like the 50 Hp of the R65LS though - I'd try to hold out for an R65 to come along unless the deal was really really good on the R45.

The R45 is extremely rare here in the US, so it has some additional collector appeal on this side of the planet.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Welcome home, Stavros!  


What ever you buy, I hope it is soon, so you will be here often!

Since you will be talking to the missus before you make this move, you will be asking if she expects to ride along on the twin as well as the K-bike.  If the answer is yes, I would consider waiting for the 650.

Didn't you have a line on your old bike coming back on the market?


Melena is still here, occasionally.  She will catch up, soon, no doubt!

Take care, hug them little boys for me!  

[Semper Gumby]

60 mpg!  Why not.  Keep it stock though.  

[Goldentie]

Thank you for your quick response. I went to see the bike on sale and I got depressed.  The poor bike was a ghost of the R45 that once it used to be. The guy had even paint the frame yellow and the wheels too and It was standing there in the dark in an appalling condition. To make a long story short  I wouldn’t give half the money the owner was asking…I will follow your advice and wait for a good deal for an R65…if I won’t find a decent deal on a decent R45 that is ).

Rob the R65 I used to ride is up to the double price I sold it five years ago!!! I won’t think the guy is prepared for such a discount yet!

Thank you all once more,

Stavros ’89 K75
            ’82 P200E

[DeeG]

That's a shame about the R45.  Poor thing  

Someone needs to buy it and make it a happy bike once more. A bike someone would love and pamper and be proud of.  Steve? I think you need to import the bike.    
  

[Melena]

Stavros!  

So good to hear you are still around!  I'm sorry it took me so long to get here and post to this thread.  But I sent you an e-mail.

I think which one you get really depends on how you are going to use it.  The K75 would be your more long distance bike I think.  It is definitely a highway bike.  The R45 would be good for running around town and riding around the twisty hilly roads around where you live.  The R65 would be good for that too, but it can go more where the K75 can go.  

What a decision.  I suppose you will make a decision depending on what you can find that's in decent shape and what you can afford.  

Good luck to you!  

[Goldentie]

My old friend Melena, what a wonderful surprise! There are so many things to say since our last frequent give and take at the old forum...thank you for the mail, I'll be back to you soon!

Meanwhile I think I'll follow your advice and keep my eyes open for a good offer.

A Big hug,
Stavros